Emily Leakey
Knightstown
Summary
Dynamic Clinical Nurse and Nurse Manager skilled in enhancing patient care through effective team leadership and quality management. Proven ability to oversee surgical operations and manage utilization review processes, ensuring compliance and efficient healthcare delivery.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Nurse - Otolaryngology
Iu Health
08.2025 - Current
- Triaged patients, educated them about their care, obtained prior authorizations for medications, and precertified procedures. Supported assigned physicians during clinic hours, assisted with procedures, scheduled patients, and notified them of diagnostic testing results. Served as the medication safety champion.
- Administered patient medications and monitored responses to treatments.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to develop patient care plans.
- Educated patients and families on health management and recovery strategies.
Assistant Nurse Manager
Department of Veterans Affairs
01.2024 - 09.2025
- Led and supervised a team of 45 nurses in the utilization review department.
- Oversaw staff schedules, approved leave requests, conducted performance evaluations, and recommended disciplinary actions to enhance team effectiveness and employee relations.
- Supported Quality Management and Improvement activities to enhance patient care and safety.
- Guided designated subordinates to collaborate among interprofessional team members involved in each patient’s care to draw team members’ input and form the most comprehensive clinical picture, which the staff nurse then relayed to insurance reviews.
- Trained staff on updated procedures and policies.
- Developed and managed collaborative partnerships with CPAC executive staff, departmental leadership, VISN leadership, and nurse managers to improve interdepartmental communication and patient outcomes.
- Reviewed physician documentation to ensure compliance with ICD-10 diagnosis and CPT coding for authorizations or retro authorizations.
- Acted as Records Management Liaison, ensuring high confidentiality standards in the department.
OR Nurse Manager
Hancock Surgery Center
01.2008 - 12.2023
- Conducted interviews, hired staff, provided counseling, developed team members, and coordinated surgery schedules to enhance departmental effectiveness and ensure quality care.
- Oversaw day-to-day operations of the surgical department, sterile processing department, and scheduling department.
- Coordinated with the medical director, anesthesiologists, surgeons, and outside vendors to ensure surgical procedures were completed timely and efficiently.
- Led Risk Management team and completed quarterly assessments of reportable variances to identify and mitigate potential risks.
- Participated in yearly quality improvement projects and implemented evidence-based improvements to enhance surgical outcomes.
- Team lead for the policy and procedure committee to stay up to date with governing body recommendations.
- Trained new staff on departmental procedures and protocols.
- Audited all operating room medical records for documentation and charges.
- Worked closely with the billing department to ensure proper codes and modifiers were used to obtain payments.
OR Staff Nurse
Methodist Hospital
Indianapolis
08.2004 - 12.2008
- Monitored vital signs and activated emergency protocols during surgeries to ensure patient safety.
- Assisted surgeons during complex procedures ensuring patient safety and comfort.
- Prepared surgical instruments and equipment, maintaining sterile environments throughout operations.
- Implemented infection control measures, ensuring a sterile environment and minimizing infection risks in the surgical unit.
- Educated patients on pre-operative and post-operative care, enhancing recovery experiences and patient satisfaction.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care and streamline workflows.
- Documented patient records accurately, maintaining compliance with healthcare regulations.
- Trained new nursing staff on surgical protocols and best practices for patient care.
- Oversaw nursing staff scheduling and patient assignments in surgical unit.
Staff Nurse ICU
Hancock Health
Greenfield
05.2004 - 08.2004
- Administered medications and treatments per physician orders, ensuring optimal patient outcomes in critical care settings.
- Assisted in advanced life support procedures during emergency situations.
- Implemented evidence-based practice guidelines, improving quality of care for critically ill patients.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement comprehensive patient care plans, enhancing patient recovery.
- Documented patient information accurately in electronic health records systems.
Education
MSN -
CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY
Chicago, IL, United States08-2025
ASN -
Indiana University School of Nursing
Richmond, IN05-2004
Skills
- Patient triage
- Clinical documentation
- Electronic health records
- Utilization review
- Patient education
- Quality improvement
- Healthcare compliance
- Healthcare regulations
- Compliance management
- Team collaboration
- Staff training
- Leadership skills
Certification
- Certification Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Timeline
Clinical Nurse - Otolaryngology
Iu Health
08.2025 - Current
Assistant Nurse Manager
Department of Veterans Affairs
01.2024 - 09.2025
OR Nurse Manager
Hancock Surgery Center
01.2008 - 12.2023
OR Staff Nurse
Methodist Hospital
08.2004 - 12.2008
Staff Nurse ICU
Hancock Health
05.2004 - 08.2004
MSN -
CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY
ASN -
Indiana University School of Nursing